True Grit

Teaching to Change the World

"Education is the solution to the bigger social problems in the world," says Jenny Eakin '13. Inspired by her Catholic faith, she sees her lifelong desire to be a teacher as a call to serve her community.

Education Students Recognized for Teaching Excellence

Alumni Sarah Records ’13 and Chelsie Newman ’13 received the Quest for Quality: Exceptional Teacher Candidate recognition. They were recognized for knowledge of subject areas and pedagogical knowledge, excellence in planning and instructional delivery, and ability to create a positive, equitable and engaging classroom environment.

School of Education

The School of Education at St. Edward’s University embraces teaching excellence and cultivates a superior level of preparedness for today’s culturally diverse learning environments for all levels of education (elementary school, middle school, secondary school and all-level) and kinesiology professions.

Each program prepares students for the teaching certification exam upon graduation. While each discipline has its own faculty, space and resources, all share a common approach that draws upon these advantages:

Small classes that readily flex to a diversity of viewpoints and faculty members who take an active role in preparing graduates for multicultural teaching environments.

Approachable master-teachers whose top priority is ensuring you benefit from a personalized learning experience.

Fundamental tools for future educators, such as curriculum planning, managing a classroom and learning models, are experienced through actual teaching time in St. Edward’s University classroom labs and through partnerships with the Austin Independent School District.

Essential “cross training,” in the form of critical analysis, synthesizing information and articulating precise arguments (orally and in writing), that will carry you through your teaching career — and into educational administration or beyond.

Dean's Message

Dear Future Education Students:

Today’s educational environment has been called “constant whitewater.” It is always changing. There are continual challenges. But it's also exciting and exhilarating — for both the teacher and the student.

To prepare new educators for this 21st-century learning environment, the School of Education challenges students to be thoughtful, ethical leaders who strive for social justice in communities and schools both local and global. Our students develop skills for successfully coping with change and seamlessly integrating new technologies into their lessons. And as they learn to differentiate for individual learner needs, they hone their ability to serve each child in their classroom.

We couple this knowledge with field-based preparation. This invaluable combination provides practical, hands-on experiences that help students establish their “fit” to the profession. They receive their coursework and are assigned to classrooms in local schools. They are immersed in all aspects of the school day and volunteer for such programs as Citizen Schools, Latinitas and America Reads. As a result, our students become valued, active members of the Austin education community even before they graduate.

Ensuring such success for our students is critical to our mission. Our emphasis on both global perspective and respect for the individual is both real and tangible, as our commitment to preparing bilingual teachers demonstrates. Our support services and co-curricular activities are exceptional. And just as we meet and exceed state and national accountability standards, we strive to create a personalized, supportive learning environment that nurtures students as they gain knowledge and solidify their own values.

Those of us who teach, and want to teach, know that it is demanding, hard work. It also can be fun and joyful. In the School of Education, we prepare new educators who will have a positive and lasting impact on the learning lives of their students.

Facilities

Fleck Hall

Renovated: 2007

Overview

A dynamic learning environment like Fleck Hall sparks innovative thinking. This well-built 1960s structure was transformed into a brilliant state-of-the-art learning center in 2007, with classrooms especially tailored to the needs of the School of Education. Fleck also hosts meetings from all over campus in its third-floor conference rooms, which give spectacular views of the Austin skyline.

Key Features

Cutting-edge design taps into the energy and spirit of the original architecture while using sustainable practices

Nine technology-rich classrooms with multimedia capabilities

Experiential learning center replicates the classroom environment

Teaching laboratory with resources and technology just like in the field

Gallery space for presentations and symposia

Eight multipurpose conference rooms with multimedia support for group learning and presentations